Not currently on display at the V&A

Butter Dish

ca. 1885 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
Extensive glass table services became increasingly popular towards the end of the 19th century. Cheaply made, in pressed glass, such elaborate sets became widely available.

Materials & Making
The technique of press-moulding glass with the aid of a hand-operated machine was first perfected in the United States of America in the early 1820s. It took only two people to shape a measured quantity of hot glass in a heated metal mould. By simply depressing a lever, a metal plunger was lowered into the glass, forcing it into the patterned mould. By the 1830s this method had spread to Europe and Britain, giving rise to stylistic changes and revolutionising the availability of glassware. The technique made the mid- to late 19th century the first period of true mass production. In the 1890s the introduction of steam-powered presses improved quality while cutting costs even further.

People
This butter dish was made by 'George Davidson & Co., Teams Glass Works' at Gateshead, Tyne and Wear. Founded in 1867, they soon became one of the most famous and prolific manufacturers of pressed glass in Britain.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Butter Dish Body
  • Butter Dish Cover
Materials and techniques
Press-moulded glass
Brief description
Glass Butter dish, Gateshead, 1885
Dimensions
  • With lid height: 11cm
  • Diameter: 18cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 01/02/2000 by JC
Marks and inscriptions
Marked with a lion rampant above a crest (moulded)
Credit line
Gift of M. J Franklin
Object history
Made by George Davidson & Co., Teams Glass Works, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear
Summary
Object Type
Extensive glass table services became increasingly popular towards the end of the 19th century. Cheaply made, in pressed glass, such elaborate sets became widely available.

Materials & Making
The technique of press-moulding glass with the aid of a hand-operated machine was first perfected in the United States of America in the early 1820s. It took only two people to shape a measured quantity of hot glass in a heated metal mould. By simply depressing a lever, a metal plunger was lowered into the glass, forcing it into the patterned mould. By the 1830s this method had spread to Europe and Britain, giving rise to stylistic changes and revolutionising the availability of glassware. The technique made the mid- to late 19th century the first period of true mass production. In the 1890s the introduction of steam-powered presses improved quality while cutting costs even further.

People
This butter dish was made by 'George Davidson & Co., Teams Glass Works' at Gateshead, Tyne and Wear. Founded in 1867, they soon became one of the most famous and prolific manufacturers of pressed glass in Britain.
Collection
Accession number
C.176&A-1983

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Record createdMarch 27, 2003
Record URL
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